WASHINGTON

Marshmallow innovator comes to State of the Union

Erin Kelly
GANNETT
Joey Hudy, of Phoenix, demonstrates his marshmallow cannon for President Obama on Feb. 7, 2012, at the White House.
  • Joey Hudy%2C 16%2C will sit with first lady Michelle Obama during speech
  • Two years ago he and President Obama had fun shooting the marshmallow cannon he invented
  • The teen has become Intel%27s youngest intern and hopes to become an electrical engineer

WASHINGTON — Two years ago, Joey Hudy of Anthem, Ariz., delighted President Obama when he fired his "extreme marshmallow cannon" at the White House Science Fair.

Hudy and the president took turns pumping the air cannon, which sent a marshmallow flying across the historic East Room of the White House as news photographers captured the playful moment for posterity.

Apparently, the event made a lasting impression on the president. Tuesday, Hudy will be the guest of first lady Michelle Obama and sit in her box to watch the president give his State of the Union Address to Congress.

"It's amazing," said Hudy, 16. "I never thought something like this would happen again."

The White House said Mrs. Obama invited Hudy to be her guest because he is an example of a growing community of young people and adults who design and build things on their own time. He also is a big proponent of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education and creates kits to help people learn more about science.

The teenager also has become Intel's youngest intern, a position that Intel CEO Brian Krzanich recently offered when he met Hudy at a Maker Faire in Rome, Italy. The fairs give people a chance to display their inventions.

"He saw me give a speech and he offered me a job," Hudy said. He will work as an intern in Intel's Chandler, Ariz., office.

The high school junior says he plans to study electrical engineering in college and hopes to secure a permanent job with Intel after graduation.

He said his marshmallow launch at the White House has "most definitely" opened doors for him.

"When people recognize you, they'll spend more time talking to you," Hudy said.

Two years ago, though, all Hudy could think about was not damaging the White House walls with his cannon.

"I was just hoping nothing would go wrong," he said.